Psalms 37:17

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Psalms 37:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
ESV
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
NLT
17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly.
MSG
17 For the wicked are moral weaklings but the righteous are God-strong.
CSB
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.

Psalms 37:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 37:17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken
That is, their sword arm, with which they have drawn it; and so shall not be able to strike with it; and with which they have bent their bows, but shall not be able to shoot: and this proves, what is before suggested, that their efforts shall be fruitless; or their substance shall be taken away from them, in which they trusted, and wherein their strength lay; and this confirms what had been just spoken, that the righteous man's little is better than the wicked man's much; and which is further confirmed by what follows;

but the Lord upholdeth the righteous;
both in a providential way, by supporting them in their being, supplying their need, preserving them from dangers, and bearing them up under all their afflictions; and in a spiritual way, by maintaining the principle of grace and life in them, by furnishing them with all spiritual blessings, by sustaining them in times of temptation, and by securing them safe from their enemies; upholding them so as that they stand in the grace of God now, and shall stand before Christ with confidence hereafter; and shall not fall here finally and totally, nor in the day of judgment. The Targum is, "the Word of the Lord upholdeth the righteous".

Psalms 37:17 In-Context

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Job 38:15; Psalms 10:15
  • 2. Psalms 41:12; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 145:14; Psalms 146:7
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